Hybrid antenna distribution unit

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a hybrid distribution apparatus that can distribute both power and data connections from a power and fiber cables (or from a hybrid cable containing both power and fiber) within a compact enclosure that helps reduce the overall footprint of the hybrid distribution unit mounted on a cellular tower. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 17/029,877, filed Sep. 23, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/905,898, filed Sep. 25, 2019, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and both incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Cellular tower sites are increasingly distributed around the world to provide mobile communications for a variety of devices. Such sites typically include a radio unit connected to an antenna using radio frequency (RF) cabling, where the radio unit is supplied power by an input power cable (e.g., at −48 volts DC) and a return cable back to a power supply located in a shelter. Additionally, data is communicated between one or more base station units (also located in the shelter) and the radio unit over fiber optic cabling.

The cellular site also performs various processing to, for example, determine the appropriate frequency band for a transmission, amplify a signal, transmit and receive signals, etc. In older networks, this type of processing was typically done at the base inside the shelter, but after the introduction of third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) networks, at least some such processing (e.g., analog/digital conversion) has largely been moved from the base station unit in the shelter to a processing unit located near the top of the cellular tower, since a considerable amount of energy would otherwise be lost via the radio frequency (RF) cable connection between the base station unit and the antenna(s) at the top of the tower.

However, while performing processing at the top of the tower near the antenna helps to minimize energy loss, additional power and fiber optic cabling is required to supply power and data from the shelter to the unit on the tower. Conventional processing units are thus susceptible to damage and disruption from overvoltage and surge current when a lightning strike hits the tower (or nearby). Additionally, towers may host a number of different radio/antenna combinations, thus providing an issue for routing multiple DC link cables to fit the radios, and protecting the connections from overvoltage.

In some cases, hybrid cables are used in cellular sites to combine both fiber and power conductors. Inside such hybrid cables, there are copper wires that feed several radios with power, along with fiber optic cabling to provide a data connection to the radios. Typically, the hybrid cable is terminated in an enclosure and individual surge protectors are provided for each of the DC circuits that feed the radio. The fibers from the fiber optic cabling are terminated inside the enclosure and fiber jumpers are used to connect them to the radios. Likewise, power jumpers are used to connect the power wiring to each radio to the enclosure. An example of a cable breakout assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,575,277, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

One significant issue arising in conventional cellular sites is that the space available for the fiber optic breakout assembly (and other components) is extremely limited on the cellular tower, and this space is often costly for cellular operators to rent from owners of the tower. Embodiments of the present disclosure address this issue (among others) by providing a hybrid distribution unit that can distribute both power and data connections from a power and fiber cables (or from a hybrid cable containing both power and fiber) within a compact enclosure that helps reduce the overall footprint of the hybrid distribution unit mounted on a cellular tower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve to provide examples of possible structures and operations for the disclosed inventive systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage media. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed implementations.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a power and communication system in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate examples of interior views of a hybrid antenna distribution unit in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 2D, 2E, and 2F are cut-away views of the hybrid antenna distribution unit shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of the exterior portion of a hybrid distribution unit in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates an example of a hybrid adaptor in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3D illustrates an example of a hybrid cable that may be used to connect to the adaptor depicted in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3E illustrates a cut-away view of the exterior portion of the hybrid distribution unit shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a process for manufacturing a hybrid distribution unit in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for a hybrid distribution unit. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the exemplary embodiments and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent. The disclosed embodiments are mainly described in terms of particular methods and systems provided in particular implementations. However, the methods and systems will operate effectively in other implementations. Phrases such as “one embodiment” and “another embodiment” may refer to the same or different embodiments. The embodiments will be described with respect to systems and/or devices having certain components. However, the systems and/or devices may include more or less components than those shown, and variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The disclosed embodiments will also be described in the context of particular methods having certain steps. However, the method and system operate effectively for other methods having different and/or additional steps and steps in different orders that are not inconsistent with the exemplary embodiments. Thus, the disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a power and communication system 12 that provides suppression for a distributed wireless communication station. A building 24 contains computing equipment for a base transceiver communication station (BTS) 46, which may also be referred to herein as a “baseband unit.” Communication station 46 is connected through fiber optic cables 38 to different radios 18 (also referred to herein as “remote radio units”) located on the top of a tower 14. A Direct Current (DC) power plant 44 is connected through DC power cables 30 to the different radios 18 on tower 14. The power plant 44 may also be referred to herein as a “power supply unit.” In one example, DC power cables 30 include sets of -48 DC volt power cables 32, return power cables 34, and associated ground cables. In one example, power cables 30 and fiber optic cables 38 are run through a same hybrid trunk cable 48 that is routed out of building 24 and up tower 14 to a hybrid antenna distribution unit 50 of the disclosed embodiments.

A local base suppression unit 40 may be located inside of building 24 and connected to the local ends of power cables 30 relatively close to DC power plant 44 and communication station 46. In one embodiment, base suppression unit 40 is located in a rack 26 that also contains DC power plant 44. In another example, base suppression unit 40 is located in another rack or some other location next to power plant 44. Examples of base suppression units are described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,181,717 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Hybrid antenna distribution unit (also referred to herein as a “hybrid distribution unit”) 50 is attached to a support 52 on top of tower 14 and is connected to the remote ends of power cables 30 and fiber optic cables 38 proximate to radios 18 and antennas 16. In one example, distribution unit 50 is located within 2 meters of radios 18. Radios 18 may be connected to their respective antennas 16 via short RF cables.

The hybrid distribution unit may also be referred to herein as a hybrid fiber to the antenna (FTTA)/power to the antenna (PTTA) distribution unit. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the hybrid distribution unit 50 may be installed on a mobile communications tower or mast (such as tower 14) to provide for the connection and distribution of the hybrid trunk cable 48 to the jumpers 54 coupled to the remote radio units 18. As described in more detail, below, the hybrid distribution unit 50 also provides integrated over voltage protection (OVP) modules to help protect the remote radio units 18 (also referred to herein as “RRUs”).

Among other things, hybrid FTTA/PTTA distribution units of the present disclosure help provide higher installation capacity compared to conventional distribution units, as the hybrid distribution units of the present disclosure can support a high number of RRUs in a small footprint. Furthermore, the hybrid distribution units of the present disclosure help simplify deployment and accelerate installations as they can be provided pre-terminated (e.g., no cable connections required in the field).

FIG. 2A illustrates an interior view of a hybrid antenna distribution unit 50 in accordance with some embodiments. In this example, hybrid distribution unit 50 includes an enclosure 205 having an interior portion as shown. A cable entry and clamping mechanism 210 is disposed at the bottom of the enclosure 205 and is configured to receive a hybrid trunk cable 212 that includes one or more sets of power cables and one or more fiber optic cables. In alternate embodiments, the cable entry and clamping mechanism may be configured to receive separate power and data cables, such as a first trunk cable that includes one or more sets of power cables and a second trunk cable that includes one or more fiber optic cables.

Among other things, the enclosure 205 allows both the factory and field installation of the trunk cable(s) to the hybrid distribution unit 50. For example, in some cases the hybrid distribution unit may be pre-wired and terminated during factory assembly such that an installer is not required to make any cable connections in the field. Additionally or alternatively, a user may remove the external dust cover of the hybrid distribution unit 50 (described in more detail below) to access the internal portion of the enclosure to add or modify wiring connections.

The enclosure may be sized and dimensioned to effectively route power and data cabling while only requiring a minimal footprint on the cellular tower. As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the enclosure is tapered at the bottom such that the width of the top of the enclosure is wider than the width of the bottom. This helps to conserve space while still providing an efficient and effective routing of the cabling that can easily be accessed by installers or maintenance personnel.

The enclosure 205 may house one or more overvoltage protection (OVP) modules. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, OVP modules 215 a, 215 b, and 215 c are disposed at the bottom of the interior portion of the enclosure, with OVP module 215 a coupled to a first elongated bus bar 220 a extending along a portion of the length of enclosure 205 (along the left side of the enclosure) and a second elongated bus bar 220 b extending along a portion of the length of enclosure 205 parallel to the first bus bar 220 a. In this example, the first bus bar 220 a is an input power bus bar (−48V in this example) and the second bus bar 220 b is a return power bus bar. In FIG. 2A, a ground plate 222 is disposed in the bottom of the enclosure 205 and is configured to extend and connect (e.g., through ground wiring) to the OVP modules 215 a, 215 b, and 215 c.

FIG. 2B provides a more detailed view of the power connections within the enclosure 205. In this example, there are three pairs of elongated bus bars (a −48V bar and corresponding return “RTN” bar) running lengthwise within the enclosure, though in alternate embodiments there may be more or fewer sets of bus bars.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the power conductors of the hybrid (or power) trunk cable are connected to the terminals of the OVP modules 215 a, 215 b, and 215 c at the bottom of the housing. To optimize the cable routing and minimize the assembly and installation time, two bars, −48V and RTN, equipped with lugs are connected to each OVP module and run lengthwise along the housing. For example, OVP 215 a is connected to bars 220 a and 220 b.

As shown in FIG. 2A, short factory terminated power cables are used for the connection of the bars' lugs to the proper terminals of the hybrid (or power) adaptors. For example, short power cable 225 connects the input power connection from adaptor 230 to the lug 235 on the first bus bar 220 a.

The fiber optic portion of the hybrid cable (or the fiber optic cable in case of separate power and fiber optic trunk cables) is routed above the OVP modules through the interior portion of the enclosure 205. FIG. 2C illustrates the enclosure 205 with the addition of fiber optic cable support elements 240 coupled to opposite sides of the enclosure. The fiber optic cable support elements 240 are configured to retain one or more fiber optic cables using one or more fasteners. In this example, three fiber optic cable support elements 240 are depicted running across the width of the enclosure, but in alternate embodiments more or fewer support elements may be used, and the elements may run in any suitable configuration (e.g., lengthwise) in the enclosure.

The fiber optic cable support elements 240 allow portions of the fiber optic cables 245 to be fastened to the support elements 240 using, for example, hook-and-loop fasteners coupled to the support elements 240. Additionally, the support elements 240 may be disposed between the fiber optic cabling 245 and the removably attachable dust cover (discussed below) to help protect the fiber optic cable against crimping or other damage during the assembly of the housing. FIGS. 2D, 2E, and 2F are exploded views of the hybrid antenna distribution unit shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of the exterior portion 300 of hybrid distribution unit 50. In this example, portion 300 may be coupled (e.g., using screws or nuts and bolts around the perimeter of portion 300) to a dust cover 330 that encloses and protects the interior portion of the enclosure 205. The dust cover 330 may also include (or be coupled to) support brackets 335 that allows the hybrid distribution unit 50 to be mounted on the cellular tower 14. FIG. 3E illustrates a cut-away view of the exterior portion of the hybrid distribution unit shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the exterior portion 300 includes a plurality of angled tiered platforms 310, with each platform configured to retain a row of adapters 320. In this example, four angled platforms are shown, each with three adaptors per platform, but alternate embodiments may include more or fewer platforms, and more or fewer adaptors per platform. In this example, the plurality of angled tiered platforms 310 are angled toward the bottom of the enclosure. Among other things, this assists an installer (usually standing below the hybrid distribution unit 50 on a ladder or other support) to connect or disconnect cabling to the adaptors 320.

FIG. 3C illustrates a detailed view of the terminals of a hybrid adaptor 320 that may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the present disclosure. In alternate embodiments, hybrid distribution units of the present disclosure may operate in conjunction with adaptors of any suitable size, shape, and configuration. In the example depicted in FIG. 3C, adaptor 320 includes a pair of power terminals 350, corresponding to an input power terminal and return power terminal as discussed above. The adaptor 320 further includes fiber optic connectors 360. The power terminals 350 and fiber optic terminals 360 connect to the power cables and fiber optic cables, respectively, as shown in the interior view of the hybrid distribution unit 50 in FIG. 2A. For example, power jumper cables (e.g., power jumper cable 225) and fiber optic jumper cables (e.g., fiber optic jumper cable 226) plug into the ends of power terminals 350 and fiber optic terminals 360, respectively. FIG. 3D illustrates an example of a hybrid cable that may be used to connect to the adaptors 320. In this example, the hybrid RRU jumper cable includes supply power (−48) and return (RTN) power lines, along with fiber optic connectors 360. There are two pairs of fiber optic connectors 360 in this example, one pair for the top set of connectors 360 and one for the pair for the bottom set of connectors 360 shown in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a process 400 for manufacturing a hybrid distribution unit according to various embodiments. The hybrid distribution units of the present disclosure provide a number of advantages over conventional systems. For example, embodiments of the disclosure help provide both overvoltage protection and fiber/power cabling distribution in a small footprint housing. The mechanical design and the use of bars in the interior of the housing allow the reduction of the required volume for the connection of the cables. The hybrid distribution units of the present disclosure provide space for the safe routing of the fiber optic cables, taking into consideration the minimum bend radius requirements, while also protecting the fiber cabling from damage and doing so with a minimal footprint. Additionally, the hybrid distribution units of this disclosure can either factory terminated or installed in the field, and can be configured to be compatible with a variety of hybrid trunk cabling or stand-alone power/fiber cabling.

The figures listed above illustrate examples of embodiments of the application and the operation of such examples. In the figures, the size of the boxes is not intended to represent the size of the various physical components. Where the same element appears in multiple figures, the same reference numeral is used to denote the element in all of the figures where it appears.

While some implementations have been described herein, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present application should not be limited by any of the implementations described herein, but should be defined only in accordance with the following and later-submitted claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hybrid distribution unit apparatus comprising: an enclosure having an interior portion, exterior portion, a bottom, and a length; a plurality of adapters extending from the exterior portion of the enclosure, the plurality of adapters arranged in at least two columns and at least one row, wherein respective ones of the at least two columns comprise: a first elongated bus bar extending along at least a portion of the length of the interior portion of the enclosure and configured to connect to a first set of one or more power cables entering the interior portion from the bottom of the enclosure; a second elongated bus bar extending along at least the portion of the length of the interior of the enclosure and configured to connect to a second set of one or more power cables entering the interior portion from the bottom of the enclosure, the respective ones of the plurality of adapters including: a first set of one or more connectors configured to connect one or more power jumper cables to the first elongated bus bar and the second elongated bus bar in a same one of the at least two columns as the respective adapter, and a second set of one or more connectors configured to connect one or more fiber optic jumper cables to ends of one or more fiber optic cables entering the interior portion of the enclosure from the bottom of the enclosure.
 2. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exterior portion of the enclosure includes a plurality of angled tiered platforms, each of the plurality of angled tiered platforms configured to retain a row of the plurality of adapters.
 3. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of angled tiered platforms are angled toward the bottom of the enclosure.
 4. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 2, wherein a dust cover is removably attachable to the hybrid distribution unit apparatus to enclose the interior portion of the enclosure.
 5. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes a top, and wherein a first width of the top of the enclosure is greater than a second width of the bottom of the enclosure.
 6. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first elongated bus bar is an input power bus bar and the second elongated bus bar is a return power bus bar.
 7. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 6, wherein the input power bus bar is a −48V bus bar.
 8. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first set of one or more connectors for each respective adaptor includes: a respective first power conductor coupled to a respective first lug on the first elongated bus bar; and a respective second power conductor coupled to a respective second lug on the second elongated bus bar.
 9. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more overvoltage protection (OVP) modules disposed within the interior portion of the enclosure and coupled to one or more of the first elongated bus bar and the second elongated bus bar.
 10. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more OVP modules are disposed at the bottom of the interior of the enclosure.
 11. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a ground plate configured to extend and connect to each of the one or more OVP modules.
 12. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more fiber optic cable support elements coupled to the enclosure and configured to retain the one or more fiber optic cables using one or more fasteners, wherein the one of the fiber optic cable support elements are disposed between the one or more fiber optic cables and a dust cover that is removably attachable to the hybrid distribution unit apparatus.
 13. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or more fasteners include a hook-and-loop fastener coupled to one of the fiber optic cable support elements.
 14. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cable entry and clamping mechanism disposed at the bottom of the enclosure.
 15. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cable entry and clamping mechanism is configured to receive a hybrid trunk cable that includes the first set of one or more power cables, the second set of one or more power cables, and the one or more fiber optic cables.
 16. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cable entry and clamping mechanism is configured to receive a first trunk cable that includes the first set of one or more power cables and the second set of one or more power cables, and a second trunk cable that includes the one or more fiber optic cables.
 17. The hybrid distribution unit apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more power jumper cables are removably connectable to the first elongated bus bar and the second elongated bus bar, and the one or more fiber optic jumper cables are removably connectable to the ends of the one or more fiber optic cables.
 18. A mobile communication tower system comprising: a tower; and a hybrid distribution unit apparatus coupled to the tower and including: an enclosure having an interior portion, exterior portion, a bottom, and a length; a plurality of adapters extending from the exterior portion of the enclosure, the plurality of adapters arranged in at least two columns and at least one row, wherein respective ones of the at least two columns comprise: a first elongated bus bar extending along at least a portion of the length of the interior portion of the enclosure and configured to connect to a first set of one or more power cables entering the interior portion from the bottom of the enclosure; a second elongated bus bar extending along at least the portion of the length of the interior of the enclosure and configured to connect to a second set of one or more power cables entering the interior portion from the bottom of the enclosure, the respective ones of the plurality of adapters including: a first set of one or more connectors configured to connect one or more power jumper cables to the first elongated bus bar and the second elongated bus bar in a same one of the at least two columns as the respective adapter, and a second set of one or more connectors configured to connect one or more fiber optic jumper cables to ends of one or more fiber optic cables entering the interior portion of the enclosure from the bottom of the enclosure.
 19. A method of manufacturing a hybrid distribution unit apparatus, the method comprising: providing an enclosure having an interior portion, exterior portion, a bottom, and a length; providing a plurality of adapters extending from the exterior portion of the enclosure, the plurality of adapters arranged in at least two columns and at least one row; providing respective ones of the at least two columns with: a first elongated bus bar extending along at least a portion of the length of the interior portion of the enclosure and configured to connect to a first set of one or more power cables entering the interior portion from the bottom of the enclosure; a second elongated bus bar extending along at least the portion of the length of the interior of the enclosure and configured to connect to a second set of one or more power cables entering the interior portion from the bottom of the enclosure; and providing the respective ones of the plurality of adapters with i) a first set of one or more connectors configured to connect one or more power jumper cables to the first elongated bus bar and the second elongated bus bar in a same one of the at least two columns as the respective adapter, and ii) a second set of one or more connectors configured to connect one or more fiber optic jumper cables to ends of one or more fiber optic cables entering the interior portion of the enclosure from the bottom of the enclosure. 